Cinionic announced a new Smart Laser High Contrast (HC) projector series at CinemaCon that feature 4K resolution, a laser phosphor light source but lower lumen output compared to previous HC models in the Cinionic line.
The DP4K-13BLPHC is a 11,500 lumen model while the DP4K-18BLPHV model offers 16,000 lumens, so they are designed for mid-sized screens using the 1.38” DLP chip set. Lifetime is specified at 30K hours to 50% of original brightness. Sequential contrast is 6000:1 while ANSI checkerboard contrast is an impressive 600:1. Both also support active and passive 3D.
These new models are also ÉclairColor HDR certified, which we presume means that the gamma 2.8 EOTF is loaded on the projectors and kicks in if EclairColor HDR content (mastered for 100 cd/m²) is available for presentation.
Next, we saw a single projector being used to illuminate a spherical mirror that reflected onto a 180º curved screen. Users wore 3D glasses to see the content that was also interactive via a Kinect accessory (to be upgraded soon). This is a little more difficult to implement than it might seem as the parallax needs to change vs. angle to remain correct in the viewing sweet spot. They think such a system may be suitable for family VR centers.
Next we went to Cinionic lobby display area where a number of flat panels were on display – some of which were being used for a mixed reality demo. Here, the team used Apple’s AR Kit to develop a shooting game that allowed customers in the lobby to use designated lobby displays as their gaming canvas. This allowed other in the lobby to follow the player’s actions, rooting him/her on. This was clever and I can see this being attractive for young people – especially in the age of eSports.
Finally, a new haptic-enhanced poster technology was shown also for theater lobbies. Cinionic and Ultrahaptics collaborated on the design of innovative digital movie posters – embedded with mid-air haptics and motion tracking technologies – to empower exhibitors with a novel entertainment option for a media-savvy generation. Ultrahaptics, based on focused ultrasound technology, allows moviegoers to experience feeling sensations like static fields of electricity, bubbles and other phenomena without actually touching the surface of a screen. (Post CES 2017 Round-Up)
Under the arrangement, Cinionic provides the content creation and delivery expertise, derived from its exclusive relationships with studios, with Ultrahaptics supplying the technology platform and software to drive the user experience on the Barco Lobby Experience network.
